Medical Dermatology

While most skin conditions are not life-threatening, they are physically and emotionally uncomfortable. They have a huge impact on our patients’ quality of life and our San Antonio medical dermatologists aim to improve that.

Ochs Dermatology has helped thousands of patients rid themselves of these insecurities by offering treatments that overcome all skin conditions. From mole removal to acne or psoriasis, Dr. Robert Ochs is equipped to handle all of your dermatological needs with clinically proven treatments perfected to maximize the appearance of your skin.

At Ochs Dermatology, we provide a full range of medical services in preventative and overall dermatological healthcare. With years of experience servicing the San Antonio area, we strive to educate our community and patients in improving the quality of health for their skin.

More extensively, as a service to the patient, we provide:

Removal of moles, skin growths, and warts

Removal of benign cysts to precancerous lesions

Treatment of psoriasis, rosacea, skin allergies, and hyperhidrosis

Treatment of acne and acne scar improvement

Treatment of Vitiligo and Psoriasis with the Excimer Laser

Our treatment solutions often can overcome common skin conditions. We utilize various treatments for rosacea, broken blood vessels and facial redness, as well as hyperhidrosis—the condition of excessive sweat. Each of our treatments are founded on clinical science and perfected to maximize the improvement in your skin’s appearance.

Medical Services

From rashes to skin cancer, Dr. Robert Ochs is equipped to handle all your dermatological needs. To help you understand your options, we’ve included descriptions of some of our leading services on this page.

Please click your selection below to read more details.

Acne is the most frequent skin condition seen by medical professionals. It consists of pimples that appear on the face, back and chest. About 80% of adolescents have some form of acne and about 5% of adults experience acne. In normal skin, oil glands under the skin, known as sebaceous glands, produce an oily substance called sebum. That sebum is prevented from reaching the skin surface because of blocked follicles called comedones. There is also an overgrowth of bacteria in the sebum. This leads to inflamed papules and nodules or cysts. Control of acne is an ongoing process. All acne treatments work by preventing new acne breakouts. Existing blemishes must heal on their own, and therefore, improvement takes time. Treatment will vary according to the type of acne.

Moles are commonly brown or black growths, usually round or oval, that can appear anywhere on the skin. They can be rough or smooth, flat or raised, single or in multiples. They occur when cells that are responsible for skin pigmentation, known as melanocytes, grow in clusters instead of being spread out across the skin. Generally, moles are less than one-quarter inch in size. Most moles appear by the age of 20, although some moles may appear later in life. Sun exposure increases the number of moles.

Recent studies have shown that certain types of moles have a higher-than-average risk of becoming cancerous. Some may develop into a form of skin cancer knows as malignant melanoma. Sunburns may increase the risk of melanoma.

Moles are present at birth in about 1 in 100 people. They are called congenital nevi. These moles may be more likely to develop a melanoma than moles which appear after birth. When a congenital nevus is more than eight inches across, it poses the greater risk for developing melanoma.

Moles known as dysplastic nevi or atypical moles are larger than average (usually larger than a pencil eraser) and irregular in shape. They tend to have uneven color with dark brown centers and lighter, sometimes reddish uneven borders or black dots at edge. These moles often run in families.

Persons with dysplastic nevi may have a greater than average chance of developing malignant melanoma. These people should be seen regularly by a dermatologist to check for any changes that might indicate skin cancer. They should also learn to do regular self-examinations, looking for changes in color, size or shape of their moles, or the appearance of new moles. They should also shield their moles from sun exposure using sunscreen and or protective clothing.

When we use the term cysts, we are usually referring to a small mass that manifests just beneath the surface of the skin as small “lumps” that may vary in size. Though cysts may affect generally any area of the body, in dermatology we primarily treat both cysts that occur in the epidermal layers of the skin forming either between the layers of the epidermis or that originate in the hair follicle of the skin. If a cyst enlarges rapidly and ruptures, a boil-like lesion results that usually requires treatment with antibiotic and surgical removal of the sac. It is easier to remove the cyst when it is not inflamed. This may prevent the possibility of infection. If a cyst begins to enlarge rapidly, becomes inflamed, or painful it should be examined by a physician as soon as possible.

Psoriasis is a skin condition that creates red patches of skin with white, flaky scales. It most commonly occurs on the elbows, knees and trunk, but can appear anywhere on the body. The first episode usually strikes between the ages of 15 and 35. It is a chronic condition that will then cycle through flare-ups and remissions throughout the rest of the patient’s life. Psoriasis affects as many as 7.5 million people in the United States. About 20,000 children under age 10 have been diagnosed with psoriasis. Psoriasis is a treatable condition. While Psoriasis cannot be cured, a number of treatment options can help control Psoriasis.

“Rash” is a general term for a wide variety of skin conditions. A rash refers to a change that affects the skin and usually appears as a red patch or small bumps or blisters on the skin. The majority of rashes are harmless and can be treated effectively with over-the-counter anti-itch creams, antihistamines and moisturizing lotions.

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that causes facial redness, acne-like pimples, visible small blood vessels on the face, swelling and/or watery, irritated eyes. This inflammation of the face can affect the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead or eyelids. More than 14 million Americans suffer from rosacea. It is not contagious, but there is some evidence to suggest that it is inherited. There is no known cause or cure for rosacea. The key to successful management of rosacea is early diagnosis and treatment. Dermatologists often recommend a combination of treatments tailored to the individual patient. Together, these treatments can stop the progress of rosacea and sometimes reverse it. There is also no link between rosacea and cancer.

Skin cancer is the most common form of human cancers, affecting more than one million Americans every year. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their lives. Skin cancers are generally curable if caught early. However, people who have had skin cancer are at a higher risk of developing a new skin cancer, which is why regular self-examination and doctor visits are imperative. There are three forms of skin cancer:

Basal Cell Carcinoma – This skin cancer usually appears as a small, fleshy bump or nodule. They are most common skin cancers found in fair-skinned persons. These tumors don’t grow quickly. It can take many months or years for one to grow to a diameter of one-half inch. Untreated, the cancer will begin to bleed, crust over, heal and the cycle repeats.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma – This skin cancer may appear as a bump, or as red, scaly patch. Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer found in fair-skinned persons. This cancer can develop into large masses. Unlike most basal cell carcinoma, it can metastasize. When found early and treated properly, the cure rate by dermatologic surgery for both basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma is 95 percent.

Malignant Melanoma – Melanoma has its beginnings in melanocytes, the skin cells that produce the dark, protective pigment called melanin. It is melanin that makes the skin tan, acting as a partial protection against sun. Melanoma cells usually continue to produce melanin, which accounts for the cancers appearing in mixed shades of tan, brown, and black. Melanoma can also be red or white. Melanoma tends to spread, making treatment essential.

Melanoma may suddenly appear without warning, but it may also begin in, or near a mole, or other dark spots in the skin. It is important to know the location and appearance of the moles on our bodies so any change will be noticed. The most important step you can take is to have any changing mole examined by a dermatologist so that any early melanoma can be removed while still in the curable stage.

Warts are small, harmless growths that appear most frequently on the hands and feet. Sometimes they look flat and smooth, other times they have a dome-shaped or cauliflower-like appearance. Warts can be surrounded by skin that is either lighter or darker. Warts are caused by different forms of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). They occur in people of all ages and can spread from person-to-person and from one part of the body to another. Warts are benign (noncancerous) and generally painless.

Wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process. They occur most frequently in areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck, back of the hands and forearms. Over time, skin gets thinner, drier and less elastic. Ultimately, this causes wrinkles – either fine lines or deep furrows. In addition to sun exposure, premature aging of the skin is associated with smoking, heredity and skin type (higher incidence among people with fair hair, blue-eyes and light skin).